Trimmer



R. L. WILCOX Nova 17, 1931.

TRIMMER Filed Feb. 15. 1928 7 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR R is ard Lester T4 2700:

llllllll l Nov, 17, 1931. R wlLCoX 1,832,164

TRIMMER FiledFeb. 13, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Richard Lester M7600:

RNEY

Nov. 17, 1931.. R. L. WILCOX TRIMMER Filed Feb. 13 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet s Nov 17, 1931. R. WILCOX TRIMMER Filed Feb.

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Rz'v/zzzrd Lester W'z'lwx isv agfg/ azy R. L. WILCOX TRIMMER '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb.

INVENTOR Rz'r/zard Lester Wilcow BY g ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1931. R. 1.. WILCOX 1,332,164

TRIMMER Filed Feb. 13, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lNVE-NTOR Rz'r/zard Leoler Wilcox T NE Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RICHARD LESTER WILCOX, OF WATER BURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WATER- IBURY FABREL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, OF WATEBBURY, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT 'mnmnit Application filed February 13, 1928. Serial No. 254,092.

This invention relates to a new and improved trimmer, and particularly to a type of trimmer that will automatically trim blanks or articles to be used as bolts, screws, nuts and the like.

It is the object of this invention, among other things, to provide a mechanism of this character that will more effectively perform its functions at much greater speed than heretofore possible, as well as produce a more perfect product.

To these, and other ends, my invention consists in the trimmer, having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference designate like parts in the several figures;

Figure 1 is a plan view of my new and improved trimmer;

Figure 2 is a side view thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken generally upon line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure thereof, partly in section, being taken generally upon ure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing particularly the mechanism for transferring the blanks to the die and punch and the parts adjacent thereto;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the punch and die in proximity to each other. the parts in section being taken generally upon line 38 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the means by which the dwell of the die is accomplished;

Figure 8 is a view of a portion of the transfer mechanism;

' Figure 9 is a sectional detail of the pressure clamp mechanism, taken upon line 99 of Figure 6;

Figure. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of someof the parts, taken upon line 10-1O of Figure 3;

Figure 11 is a perspective View of the distributing apron;

4 is an enlarged transverse view the parts in section line 1- of Fig- Figure 12 is a plan view of a form of mechanism that may be used in operation upon a blank with a partially shaped head;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevation thereof, the parts in section being taken generally upon line 1313 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a blank with a partially shaped head;

Figure 15 is a sectional detail view of the chute mechanism with a blank therein having a partially shaped head; and

Figure 16 is a view of a portion of the transfer mechanism having a finger connected therewith for use with blanks having a partially shaped head.

In trimming machines of the prior art, the blanks which are designed to be formed into bolts, screws, rivets, studs and the like, are arranged so as to move in a single column of blanks to a delivery point, from which they are transferred into a position for operation thereon by a punch and die, whereby the head may be trimmed into the desired cross section, usuall square, hexagon or octagon.

The punch 18 movable, the die stationary, and in the transfer mechanism the blanks are grasped by the shank adjacent to the head. As the blank cannot be ejected from the die until the punch has returned to the extreme limit of its stroke, the succeeding blank must await this action before being presented to the die and punch.

The blanks being grasped adjacent to the head, leaves the remainder of the shank without support, with the result that the outer end thereof vibrates and is unsteady. Adifficult and uncertain operation results, that is, insuring the entrance of a vibratin shank into the opening of a moving punc The uncertainty of the success of this operation has been one objection to this type of machine, for the failure of these two elements to register with each other results in the crushing of the blank between the die and punch, thus destroying the blank, and many times, damaging adjacent. parts of the machine.

In my improved bolt trimmer, the punch is stationary, the die movable, and the blank is grasped-adjacent to that end of the shank away from the head, so that it is held rigidly and there is no vibration or unsteadiness. lVith a shank rigidly supported and a sta tionary punch, it is obvious that the chance of one not properly registering with the other is entirely eliminated.

During the return movement of the gate, the next succeeding blank is being moved into position so that immediately after the completion of the return stroke, the die can begin to move forward again for operation upon the next succeeding blank without waiting for the previously trimmed blank to be ejected.

Either the die or other mechanism moves the blank into the punch and after the underside of the head engages the end of the punch, the continued movement of the die trims the head of the blank.

The action of the die is such that it dwells for a limited time when nearest to the punch, which dwell is utilized to eject the blank through the die in a reverse direction, and before the die begins to return, the blank has entirely passed therethrough and is conducted into a receptacle conveniently arranged to receive it.

In the embodiment of the invention, as herein shown, which is only one of its many forms, 10 designates the body, which is sup ported at one end upon a standard 11 and at the other end upon a standard 12, the. former standard, as shown herein, enclosing an electric motor 13, or the like, for the purpose of driving the machine,"but an ordinary belt or other driving means may be substituted therefor if desired.

Secured in one end of the body against a fixed wall is a punch holder 14,,within, which is secured a punch 15 by a screw 16, orthe like.

J ournaled in the body is a crank shaft 17, having a balance wheel 18 near one end and a gear 19 near the opposite end thereof, the teeth of the gear meshing into those of a pinion 20 connected with the driving shaft 21.

A gate 22 is given a reciprocatory movement within the body by the crank shaft 17 and a rotor mechanism mounted on an idler shaft 23. This rotor mechanism comprises an oscillating sleeve 24 having disks 25, a crank shaft connection26, and a gate connection 27.

Rotation of the crank shaft 17 imparts an oscillating movement to the sleeve 24 through the connection 26, which produces a reciproeating movement to the gate 22 through the connection 27, toward and away from the unch. p At the forward end of the gate is a die plate 28, to which is secured a die holder 29 that supports the die 30. The opening in the die has the same cross sectional shape and area as the trimmed portion of the blank.

Within the gate IS a backing block 31, having an opening 32 in one side thereof, the

5 outer end of which engages the die 30 and the inner end of which abuts against a wedge 33 that is supported in a wedge holder 34 having a vertical adjustment within the gate by means of screws 35 or the like.

The arrangement and action of the rotor mechanism is such that when the gate is in 1ts forward position, it dwells for a substantial period and with practically no motion. Such dwell results from the connection illustrated in the diagrammatic view (Fig. 7). Three positions of the crank 36 on the crank shaft 17 are there shown, these being severally designated 36, 36 and 36". The pin 37, which joins the connection 26, with the sleeve 24 is shown in two positions, these being respectively designated 37 and 37", the pin 38 uniting the connection 27 with the sleeve 24 being shown in two positions, severally designated 38 .and 38*. During the travel of the crank 36 from the position 36 to 36, a substantial portion of the path of its movement, the pin 37 only travels between the positions 37 and 37' a very much shorter distance, and the pin 38 from the positions 38 and 38*, which is substantiallythe same distance as bet-ween the positions 37 and 37", during which movement the pin 39, joining the connection 27 with the gate 22, is practically stationary. Thus, while the crank shaft 17 is rotating through an arc of approximately 53 the gate is practically stationary.

Mounted on the gate 22 is a pusher mechanism, comprising in part a shaft 40 that has both a reciprocatory and a rotary movement relative to the gate and having a finger 44 fixed thereon. This shaft is squared at 41 for a portion of its length and journaled in bearing blocks 42 and 43. Between the blocks 42 and encircling the squared portion 41 is a friction mechanism, comprising in part clamp members 45 that are normally I moved toward each other under yielding tension by the springs 47 and bolts 46. Upon the inner walls of these clamp members are friction liners 48, of leather or the like, which contact with the faces of the shaft squared portion 41. A rotary movement is imparted to the shaft 40 through a rock lever 49 hinged to the bracket 50 on the having a cam roll 51 thereon that during the movement of the gate engages the cam face 52 on the adjustably secured cam block 53. On the shaft squared portion 41 is a lever 54 and between which and the rock lever 49 is a rod 55, through which movement of the rock lever 49 is imparted to the lever 54 and shaft 40. The adjustability of the block 53 provides for variation in the timing of the rocking movement of the shaft 40.

During the forward movement of the gate,

' the finger 44 is in line with the punch 15 until it has reached a predetermined advance position, when the cam roll 51 engages the cam face 52 and rocks the shaft 40, thus gate,

mam

yond the cam face 52 and the rock lever 49,

rod 55, lever 54 and shaft 40, are returned to their former ositions by means of the spring 58,-which ears against the upper end of the rod 55 and exerts its tension so as to move the same downwardly. This spring is supported at one end in a bracket 59, connected with the gate.

The tension of the friction mechanism upon the shaft 40 is sufiicient to hold the shaft against endwise movementwhile the finger 44 is in engagement with a-blank, as hereinafter described, but will not prevent such movement when the nut 56 engages the lug 5 The stop screw 60 in the rock lever 49 contacts with the top of the gate and thus adj ustably determines the limit of movement of the rock lever 49, and through the extent of the rotary movement of the shaft 40.

The hopper mechanism 61, which may be of any preferred type, is supported upon a standard 62, which rests upon an angular face 63 of the bracket 64, and threaded in the lower end thereof is a screw 65, the head 66 of which rests against a bracket lug 67. By this method of supporting the hopper, its position, and the chute connected therewith, is conveniently adjusted to accommodate blanks of various lengths, the hopper and chute mov ing as a unit by rotation of the screw 65. Leading from this hopper is the chute mechanism, comprising chute plates 68, between which the blanks 69 travelin orderly procession, a cover plate 70 being over the open space therebetween.

Fixed to the body is a bracket member 71, within which is the transfer slide 72, which has reciprocatory movement at substantially a right angle to the path of movement of the gate. This movement is derived from a cam 73 on the shaft 17, a rock lever 74 actuated thereby, a rock lever 75 slotted at 76 to receive the roll 77 on the slide 72, the levers 74 and 75 being joined by an adjustable connecting mechanism 79, having as a part thereof the compression spring 128, held under the tension of the nuts 129. A spring 78 exerts its tension so as to maintain contact between the roll on the rock lever 74 with the cam 73. Its action is such that the slide 72 moves in one direction under a yielding pressure. Fixed to the slide 72 is a bracket 80, the outer portion of which lies at an angle substantially parallel with theend of the chute plates.

Adjustably secured within this'bracket are the fingers 81 and 82, each of which has a recess 85 and a shank that projects through a slot 83 therein and having a nut 84 threaded thereon. These fingers are generally arranged on the bracket so that the upper edge of the finger 81 is substantially in ex-.

tension of the top of the chute plates 68 and the finger 82'adjacent to the lower end of the shank of the blank, substantially as shown in Figure 5.

Journaled in the body 10 is a rockshaft 86, which derives its motion from a cam 87 on the crank shaft 17, through a rock lever 88, a rock arm 89 fixed on the shaft 86, and an adjustable connection 90 therebetween.

Fixed on the shaft 86 is a transfer arm 91,

to which is secured a finger block 92, having transfer fingers 93, connected therewith, which are preferably made of yielding material and have a limited outward movement at one end against the tension of the spring 94 upon the stud 95.

When the slide 72 is in its outward osition, the recesses in the fingers 81 ans 82 are substantially opposite the open space between the chute plates 68, substantially as shown in Figure 4. When thus registered, the lowermost blank in the column of blanks drops into the recesses and the blank is supported by the fingers 81 and 82 with the underside of the head resting against the top of the finger 81. The slide 72 then moves inwardly and carries the blank to a point opposite the fingers 93. During this transfer movement the next blank in the column is prevented from escaping from the chute by the straight face 96 of the fingers which is adjacent to the end of the chute plates 68. The transfer arm 91 is now moved about the axis of the shaft 86 until the fingers 93 engage and grasp the thus gripped, the movement-of the transfer arm 91 is reversed until it and the blank held therein assume the position substantially shown in Figure 5, this latter movement lifting the blank out of the fingers 81 and 82. The slide 72 now travels in a reverse direction until the recesses 85 are again in registcr with the chute mechanism and receive a new blank in the manner described. This reverse or outward travel of the transfer slide 72 is a yielding or non-positive movement by reason of the spring 128 connected with the adjustable connection 79. Therefore, in the event that the transfer fingers 93 should not pick the blank out of the fingers 81 and 82 the blank might contact with one of the chute 91 is moved through an arc of a circle, carrying with it the blank, which is presented with its axis coincident with the axis of the punch and die, substantially asshown in Figure 5. \Vhen in this position, it will be noted that the blank is rigidly supported directly opposite the opening in the punch 15, so that there can be no vibration or wiggling of the blank that will prevent its registering with the punch. As the blank during its last transfer is held near the outer end of the shank.

and travels in a circular path with the head farthest from the axis of rotation, this transfer movement is so timed that the blank may trai'el toward the punch while the die is be ing moved away therefrom. Therefore, instantly that sufiicient space-is left for the blank between the punch and die, the same is occupied by a new blank. When thus presented (Fig. 5), the gate moves toward the punch and the finger 44 engages the head of the blank and pushes the shank into the opening in the punch. After being projected into the punch a sufiicient distance the transfer arm 91 returnsto its former position lifting the fingers 93 from the blank. Whenv the underside of the head engages the outer face of the punch, the finger 44 moves in a rotary path out of the path of the die, which continues its movement and engages the head and trims the sides thereof. When the die has almost reached the face of the punch, the 'gate dwells in the manner heretofore described and pinches the surplus material between the die and punch.

The end of the punch 15 is substantially the same shape as the cross sectional area of the opening in the die but slightly larger. While the fin or surplus material is pinched between the die and punch, it is thus broken off over the edges of the face of the punch, just out side of the finished faces of the head, thus leaving a limited amount of excess material to be trimmed off by the die as the head is projected therethrough by the ejecting mechanism. As the bulk of excess material, formed into a fin, is broken off outside of the finished faces of the head, there is no possibility of the break extending inside of the finished edge of the face'and breaking down the corners thereof. During this dwell, the knockout mechanism engages the end of the shank, pushes the head of the blank through the die, and the same is projected into the opening 32, from" which it escapes through a slot 99 in the gate.

As soon as the trimmed blank is ejected, the gate begins its reverse movement, When near the limit of this rearward movement the finger 44 is returned to its former position in front of the die by the engagement of the nut 56 with the lug 57 ,aided by the spring 58.

This pressure mechanism is used particularly for blanks of relatively short len hs.

' As the timing and extent of movement 0 the pusher mechanism that moves'in advance of the die, in any adjusted relative pzfiition, performs this function and permits the'transfer arm and the .fingers connected therewith to move out of the path of the on-comingdie without varying the relative timing thereof. Her'etofore in machinesof this type, means have always been provided tovary the timing of'the transfer mechanism to'accommodate blanks of various lengths, such mechanism consisting usually of variation in the size of the cams, etc., a practice that necessitates a number of extra parts, as well as skill and time in substituting one part for another and non-productive machine while such changes are taking place.

One factor in determining the speed of a trimmer machine of the old form is the timing of the transfer mechanism, which heretofore could not release the blank until it had entered the punch by pressure of the die. With my pressure mechanism the transfer mechanism has released the blank and returned for another blank before being engaged by both the punch and die.

Held ina fixed position is an apron 104, having two floors 126 and 127, inclined in opposite directions, and separated by an intermediate wall and an end wall, provided with an angular portion 125. This apron is secured so that the floor 126 will receive the blank as it drops through the slot 99, from which it is deflected onto a chute 100, and thence conducted to a receptacle conveniently arranged to receive it. The fin 101, trimmed from the head of the blank, drops onto the flo0r'127 and is then conducted through an opening 103, from which it drops into the pan 102. The lubricant, if any is used, also drops through this opening 103 and into the pan 102, from which it drains into a receptacle 105 through a screen 106. By this means, the chips and lubricant are segregated from the finished product of the machine, a very desirable and convenient feature.

lever 109 which moves about the axis of the pin 110; a slide 111; a cam 112 on the shaft 17; a rock arm 113, which is normally moved in one direction by the spring 114; and an adand others, it is justable connection 115 between the slide 111 and a block 116 adjustably securedto the arm 113. For the purpose of accessibility to some of the parts and adjustment of these desirable that the transfer slide 72 be held against inward movement, and when so desired, I have. provided a plunger 117, movable within a fixed bracket 118, and having a conical head 119 upon its lower end. -When the slide 72 is operating, for transfer purposes, the plunger 117 is in substantially the position shown in Figure 4, with the cross pin 120 resting upon the top of the bracket 118. To hold the slide 72 against movement, the lunger 117 is rotated slightly through the utton 121 until the pm 120 is in register with the slot 122 in the top' of the bracket, when the spring 123 will project the plunger 117 downwardly and the conical head 119 into the conical bore of the plug 124 in the slide 72. While in this position, the slide. cannot be moved, al-

- though its operative mechanism will continue its action, the spring 78 yielding for the purpose. To release the slide from this holding mechanism the plunger 117, and the conical head 119 thereon, are pushed upwardly manually, and then turned slightly so that the cross pin 120 will again rest upon the top of the bracket 118, as before. The engagement of the conical head 119 with the conical walls of the plug 124, prevents the upward movement of the plunger 117, while the tension of the spring in contact with each other, thus preventing a premature movement of the slide 72. The

. tension of the spring 78 is sufiicient to prevent disengagement of these parts until the cam 73 releases the tension of the spring.

The trimmer above described is also adapted, with slight modifications, for trimming blanks wherein the head is partially sha ed. One form of such blank is shown in igure 14. Such partially shaped head should register with the trimming tools, a requirement not essential in the blank with a cylindrical head.

When equipped for trimming this type of blank, a plate 130 is attached, by means of brackets 1.31, or the like, to one of the chute plates 68, so that one flat side of the head will ride against or adjacent to one edge of the plate and thus prevent its rotation within the chute. The blanks are thus conveyed tothe delivery point of the chute in correct and predetermined alignment with each other. A finger 132 having a notch 133 of substantially the same width as the space between the fiat sides of the head is substituted for the finger 81. This notch 133 registers with the flat sides of the blank and receives the latter from the chute and holds it against rotation. The fingers 93 pick this blank from the fingers 82 and 132 and de- 8 holds the same.

R 8 liver the same into register with the die, the angular walls of the opening theret'hrough being in line with the flat sides of the head of the blank as delivered by the transfer mechanism. Fixed to the underside of the knockout bracket 134 is. a friction bracket 135,

and'secured in the end of the pin slide 136 is a friction rod 137.

Surroundin and having contact with the friction rod 13 is a friction mechanisnrthat is held against endwise movement by the lugs 138 upon the friction bracket 135. This friction mechanism is substantially of the same type and structure as the friction mechanism connected with the shaft 40 and comprises two clamp members 139 that are nor- .mally moved toward each other under yield-- ing tension by the springs 140 and bolts 141. ixed in the inner end to the pin slide 136 is a knockout pin 142. A knockout slide 143 is substituted for the slide 111, the only difference in these two slides being that in the slide 143 the knockout lever 109 only engages one wall 144 thereof instead of two walls, as

in the slide 111.

The knockout pin 142, after it ejects the blank from the punch remains stationary with its outer end adjacent to the outer end of the punch. This is due to the fact that the slide 143 only moves the knockout lever 109 in one direction. As the next succeeding blank is moved into the punch it engages the end of the knockout pm 142, which is held against free movement by the friction mechanism connected with the rod 137. The pressure upon the end of the knockout pin 142 by the blank as it is moved into the punch is sufficient to cause the pin slide 136 to move rearwardly against the tension of the friction mechanism, during which time the knockout lever 109 is moved on its pivot mounting and returns to the position wherein the outer end thereof is in contact with the wall 144 on the slide 143 ready for its next succeeding movement. The tension of the knockout pin 142 upon the end of the blank is sufficient to hold the head of the blank within the opening in the die until the underside of the head engages the end of the punch. Thereafter, the operations of all of the parts are the same as for trimming a head of the shape first above described. By this mechanism the blanks are aligned and maintained in such aligned position from the time they enter the chute until the underside of the head is in contact with the punch.

Minor changes and alterations may be made within my invention,'aside from those herein suggested, and I would therefore have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, but claim all that falls fairly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine for trimming headed blanks or'the like; tool's comprising a trim-'- ming die; a punch having an opening therein of substantially the same diameter as the shank of the blank and an anvil face toenage the underside of the head, the former geing movable toward and away from the latter and in its forward position having a substantial dwell with a space between the face thereofand that of the punch; means for resentin a headed blank in the 0 en space etween the unch and die and in lme therewith,- where during the thereafter movement of the d1e toward the punch the die will engage the head of the blank, press the same against the anvil face of the punch and trim the head of the blank for a portion of its length; and means for engaging the end of the shank of the blank to eject the blank through the die while the die is in its substantially forward position, which latter action will move the blank through the die and completely trim the head thereof.

2. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means moving in advance of the die for engagin the blank and projecting the shank thereof into the punch, and means for causing the pressure means to pass out of the path of the die before the die completes its movement ttioward the punch lateral to the path of the 3. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means in advance of the die that engages the blank and projects the shank thereof 1nto the punch before the die contacts therewith; and means for moving the pressure means out of the path of the die lateral to the path of the die.

4. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a. blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means in advance of the die that engages the blank and projects the shank thereo into the punch before the die contacts therewith; means for moving the pressure means in a lateral direction out of the path of the die; and means for varying the timing of the out of the path movement of the pressure means.

5. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means moving in advance of the die for engaging the blank and projecting the shank thereof into the punch; and means for associating the pressure means with the die so that it may have a reciprocating and oscillating movement relative thereto.

6. In a machine for trimming blanks or g blank and projectin fir associating the pres-' the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blankinto line with the unch and die; ressure means moving in' a vance of the ie for engagin the blank and projecting the shank thereof into the punch; means for associating the pressure means with the die so that it may have a recip-' rocating and oscillating movement relative thereto; and means for varying the timing of the oscillating movement.

7 In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means moving in; advance of the die for engaging the blank and projecting the shank thereof into the punch; means for associating the pressure means with the die so that it may have a reciprocating and oscillating movement relative thereto; and means for varying the timing of the oscillating movement, comprising cam actuated lever means.

8. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means moving in advance of the die for engagin the the shank thereo into the punch; means sure means with the die so that it may have a reciprocating and oscillating movement relative thereto; and friction means for re tarding the reciprocatory movement of the pressure means.

9. In a machine fortrimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for presenting a blank into line with the punch and die; pressure means moving in advance of the die for engagin the blank and projecting the shank thereo into the punch; means for causing the pressure means to pass out of the path of the die before the same completes its movement toward the punch; and means for varying the relative position of the pressure means in advance of the die before the die begins its forward stroke to accommodate blanks of varying lengths.-

10. In a machine for trimming blanks or the like; tools comprising a trimming die and punch; means for automatically resenting a blank into line with the punch an die; pres- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixedmy signature.

RICHARD LESTER WILCOX. 

